How do I build a running app without coding?
You can build a running app without coding by using a no code app builder tailored for fitness, which lets you create a fully functional running app through simple configuration.
In other words, you don’t have to be a developer to launch your own running training app. We’ve seen running coaches with zero tech experience turn their training plans into a polished mobile app. The secret is to use a platform that already has the common features (like workout libraries, tracking, and community) built-in. You’ll be “configuring” your app, not coding it from scratch.
How to Create a Running App Step by Step
Outline Your Running Features: Think about what a runner would want in an app. Common features include training plans (e.g. a 5K or marathon plan), audio-guided runs, run tracking (distance, pace), and a community or leaderboard for motivation. Jot down the core things you want to offer.
Find a Fitness App Platform: Use a no code platform like Sudor that supports video and audio content, GPS tracking integration, and community features. Since you’re not coding, choose a platform that can handle things like tracking runs via phone GPS or via integration with apps like Strava. (Sudor, for example, allows integration with Strava to log runs.)
Design Your App Experience: Customise the app’s look and feel with your brand name, maybe something like “[Your Name] Running Club.” Choose colours and images that match your vibe (trail running, city running, etc.). The platform’s builder will let you preview how screens look, all without any programming.
Upload Training Content: Add your training plans and workouts. You could upload videos of stretches and strength workouts for runners, audio files for guided runs, or simply written schedules for each week of a running program. Organise content by program (e.g. “Beginner 5K Plan” or “Half-Marathon Training”). This way, users can follow a structured plan through the app.
Enable Run Tracking: If the platform supports it, activate GPS tracking or integrate an external tracker. For instance, connect the app with Strava or Google Fit so users can track their runs. If direct integration isn’t available, you can encourage users to input their run distances manually and share their progress in the app’s community feed.
Test the App as a User: Before launching, use the preview or test mode to go through your training plan and make sure everything flows. Does the app correctly display each day’s workout? Can you play the audio cues or videos? Ensure that the tracking feature works by doing a short test run. This step ensures runners will have a smooth experience.
Launch and Iterate: Publish your app through the platform (they will handle submitting to app stores). Once it’s live, invite a small group of your runner friends or clients to try it out. Gather feedback – maybe they want a feature like a forum for sharing runs or a way to post selfies after a run. No code platforms make it easy to add or adjust features, so you can improve the app over time based on real user input.
Real Example: A Coach Who Did It
To give you confidence, one of our creators on Sudor is a marathon coach who launched her own running club app. She had training PDFs and YouTube videos, but no coding skills. By moving them into a branded app, she provided her runners with structured weekly plans and a place to log their runs. Her app even integrated with Strava, so her members’ morning runs automatically counted toward group challenges. Within weeks of launching, her “Running Club” app had dozens of runners actively training and sharing their progress. This was all achieved without a single line of code, just leveraging an existing platform and her coaching expertise.
Kickstart Your Running App
You don’t need a tech team to bring your running community together on an app. We encourage you to just take the leap, because an app can really elevate your coaching. At Sudor, we handle the heavy lifting, so you can focus on your training content. If you’re ready to see how it works, schedule a free demo call with us. We’ll show you how easily you can turn your running plans into an interactive app. Lace up those (digital) shoes. Your app launch could be just a few clicks away!